WRITTEN QUESTION E-0925/02 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Referral of Greece to the European Court.
Date: 2002-04-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Court of Justice of the European Union, Greece, crew, infringement of EU law, legal action, maritime cabotage

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/109

3. Were they approved by the Commission Vice-President with responsibility for staff?

Can the Commission forward a copy of

4.
programme?

the relevant provisions on secondments under this

Can the Commission quantify the additional Community budget costs of this secondment from

5.
Brussels to Miami?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2002)

The Commission can confirm that,

1.
University of Miami
Mr Gomez Reino for a one-year period, renewable at his request.

in the Commission’s

following the inclusion of the North-South Center of

the
fellowships programme, a fellowship was granted to

This individual decision was at the discretion of the appointing authority, which took into account

2.
Mr Gomez Reino’s professional situation and profile and the interests of the Institution.

The Commission can confirm that this decision was taken at the appropriate level in accordance with

3.
the empowerment given by the College in March 2001.

A copy of the brochure on fellowships is sent direct to the Honourable Member and the Parliament’s

4.
Secretariat.

5.

The cost to the Commission of a one-year fellowship in the US is estimated at around € 50 000.

The total cost of Mr Gomez Reino’s fellowship for the period from 8 August 2001 to 28 February 2002 is
€ 37 428. Expenditure for the period from 1 March 2002 to 1 August 2002 is estimated at € 21 500. The
amount for one year will therefore be about € 59 000.

(2002/C 277 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0925/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Referral of Greece to the European Court

(5 April 2002)

The Commission has decided to refer Greece to the European Court for breach of Regulation (EEC)
3577/92 (1) concerning freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime
cabotage). Could the Commission state which articles of this regulation Greece has contravened, and for
how long it has done so?

(1) OJ L 364, 12.12.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

The referral to the Court of Justice referred to by the Honourable Member concerns the interpretation of
Article 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom
to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage) (1). The Greek circular
orders concerned date back to December 1998. This procedure does not therefore affect Greek Law No
2932/2001 on the liberalisation of cabotage.

C 277 E/110

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

The rules applicable to manning are in principle the responsibility of the Member State in which the vessel
is registered (flag state). However, under Article 3 of the Regulation, Member States may impose their own
rules on manning (host state rules) for vessels registered in another Member State carrying out island
cabotage in their territory.

The dispute between the Commission and Greece centres on the nature and extent of the manning rules
that may be decided by the host state. Greece considers that the host state is responsible for determining
the number of seamen on board a ship. The Commission believes that such a condition, when it goes
beyond minimum safety standards, excessively restricts the freedom to provide services. The Commission
and Greece are also in disagreement over the manning rules applicable to cruise liners carrying out island
cabotage.

(1) OJ L 364, 12.12.1992.

(2002/C 277 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0931/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(5 April 2002)

Subject: Investigation into a possible cartel of coltan producers

It was impossible to deduce from its enthralling answer to Written Question E-3498/01 (1) whether or not
the Commission had actually begun an investigation into the Tantalium-Niobium International Study
Center (TIC), an association of coltan producers which has its headquarters in Brussels. The well-founded
presumption still persists that the Center is a front organisation for a cartel which determines coltan prices.

Has the Commission already carried out an investigation into whether the TIC constitutes a cartel?

(1) OJ C 229 E, 26.9.2002.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2002)

The Commission has not started any investigation in order to assess if Tantalium-Niobium International
Study Center (TIC) constitutes a cartel.

(2002/C 277 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0936/02

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 April 2002)

Subject: The welfare of intensively farmed fish

With particular regard to maximum stocking densities, periods of starvation and methods of slaughter,
does the Commission intend to take any action to regulate the welfare of intensively farmed fish?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

Currently there is no specific legislation on the welfare of farmed fish at Community level. However, some
general requirements in Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 on the protection of animals kept for
farming purposes (1) also apply to farmed fish.